]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-st-cloud-house-of-pizza-video/feed/0Dan DeBaun, WJON NewsFrozen in Time: St. Cloud National Bank Building-MC's Dugout [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-st-cloud-national-bank-building-mcs-dugout-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-st-cloud-national-bank-building-mcs-dugout-video/#commentsWed, 19 Nov 2014 06:00:29 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=287916Continue reading…]]>The First National Bank building is considered to be one of the finest designed and best preserved buildings in downtown St. Cloud.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-st-cloud-national-bank-building-mcs-dugout-video/feed/0Dan DeBaun, WJON NewsFrozen in Time: Howie's Sports Bar and Grill [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-howies-sports-bar-and-grill-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-howies-sports-bar-and-grill-video/#commentsWed, 12 Nov 2014 06:00:56 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=286712Continue reading…]]>Located off of 9th Avenue North, Howie’s Sports Bar and Grill started in St. Cloud in 1986 and has become a favorite destination for area sports fans.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-howies-sports-bar-and-grill-video/feed/0Howie's Bar and Grill off of 9th Avenue North. (Dan DeBaun, WJON News)Frozen in Time: Mitchell-Metzroth, Red Carpet Building [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-mitchell-metzroth-red-carpet-building-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-mitchell-metzroth-red-carpet-building-video/#commentsWed, 05 Nov 2014 18:00:05 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=285365Continue reading…]]>Currently home to the Red Carpet, the Mitchell-Metzroth building started in 1883 and has housed dozens of businesses in its history.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-mitchell-metzroth-red-carpet-building-video/feed/0Dan DeBaun, WJON NewsFrozen in Time: Benson Brothers Building in Downtown St. Cloud [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-benson-brothers-building-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-benson-brothers-building-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/#commentsWed, 29 Oct 2014 05:00:43 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=284249Continue reading…]]>Currently home to Brothers Bar and Grill, the Benson Brothers Building has a history in downtown St. Cloud stretching back to 1901.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-benson-brothers-building-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/feed/0Dan DeBaun, WJON NewsFrozen in Time: Pioneer Place in Downtown St. Cloud [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-pioneer-place-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-pioneer-place-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/#commentsWed, 22 Oct 2014 05:00:07 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=283092Continue reading…]]> A must-see destination for Central Minnesota arts and entertainment, the Pioneer Place building has been in the area for over 100 years.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-pioneer-place-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/feed/0Dan DeBaun, WJON NewsFrozen in Time: D.B. Searle's in Downtown St. Cloud [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-d-b-searles-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-d-b-searles-in-downtown-st-cloud-video/#commentsWed, 15 Oct 2014 05:00:51 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=281835Continue reading…]]>Considered a must see in the downtown St. Cloud area, the D.B. Searle's building has been a fixture off 5th Avenue for over 127 years.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-square-dancing-at-st-cloud-whitney-center-video/feed/0Dan DeBaun, WJON NewsFrozen in Time: Origin of Saint John's University [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-origin-of-saint-johns-university-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-origin-of-saint-johns-university-video/#commentsWed, 01 Oct 2014 05:00:43 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=279170Continue reading…]]>Saint John’s University is one of the most historic schools in Minnesota with its origins being traced back to the mid-1800’s.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-origin-of-saint-johns-university-video/feed/0Saint John's University ArchivesFrozen in Time: 90 Years of Care at St. Cloud VA Medical Center [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-90-years-of-care-at-st-cloud-va-medical-center-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-90-years-of-care-at-st-cloud-va-medical-center-video/#commentsWed, 24 Sep 2014 05:00:29 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=277758Continue reading…]]>The St. Cloud VA Medical Center has been caring for veterans since 1924 and now serves more than 37,000 veterans in the Midwest.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-90-years-of-care-at-st-cloud-va-medical-center-video/feed/0St. Cloud VA Medical CenterFrozen in Time: Education and Ghost Stories at St. Cloud State Riverview Building [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-education-and-ghost-stories-at-st-cloud-state-riverview-building-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-education-and-ghost-stories-at-st-cloud-state-riverview-building-video/#commentsWed, 17 Sep 2014 05:00:50 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=276430Continue reading…]]>With a unique design and a history of ghost stories, the Riverview Building is perhaps the most fascinating building on the campus of St. Cloud State University.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-education-and-ghost-stories-at-st-cloud-state-riverview-building-video/feed/0Photo from the St. Cloud State University ArchivesFrozen in Time: First Coborn's Store in Sauk Rapids [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-first-coborns-store-in-sauk-rapids-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-first-coborns-store-in-sauk-rapids-video/#commentsWed, 10 Sep 2014 05:00:07 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=275202Continue reading…]]>What started off as a small feed store in Sauk Rapids in the 1800’s has morphed into a grocery staple in Central Minnesota and beyond.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-first-coborns-store-in-sauk-rapids-video/feed/0Photo courtesy of Coborn's Incorporated.Frozen in Time: Whitney House at St. Cloud State University [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-whitney-house-at-st-cloud-state-university-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-whitney-house-at-st-cloud-state-university-video/#commentsWed, 03 Sep 2014 05:00:48 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=273849Continue reading…]]>This week for our Frozen in Time series, we visited the historic Whitney House on the campus of St. Cloud State University.

]]>http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-whitney-house-at-st-cloud-state-university-video/feed/0Dan DeBaun, WJON NewsFrozen in Time: Quilting Club at St. Cloud Whitney Center [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-quilting-club-at-st-cloud-whitney-center-video/
http://wjon.com/frozen-in-time-quilting-club-at-st-cloud-whitney-center-video/#commentsWed, 27 Aug 2014 08:00:38 +0000Dan DeBaunhttp://wjon.com/?p=272946Continue reading…]]>This week for our Frozen in Time series we stopped at the Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud to visit a longstanding quilting club.

]]>http://wjon.com/minnesotas-first-legal-distillery-creates-spirits-with-locally-grown-ingredients/feed/0Grant-Funded Local Artist Depicts Historic St. Cloud in Watercolors [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/grant-funded-local-artist-depicts-historic-st-cloud-in-watercolors-video/
http://wjon.com/grant-funded-local-artist-depicts-historic-st-cloud-in-watercolors-video/#commentsFri, 09 Nov 2012 06:32:53 +0000Abby Faulknerhttp://wjon.com/?p=146876Continue reading…]]> A local artist is breathing new life into downtown St. Cloud architecture with a roving watercolor exhibit.

]]>http://wjon.com/freedom-rider-patten-brings-story-to-scsu-community/feed/0Historic Paramount Chandeliers Return After 20 Year Hiatus [AUDIO]http://wjon.com/historic-paramount-chandeliers-return-after-20-years-gone-audio/
http://wjon.com/historic-paramount-chandeliers-return-after-20-years-gone-audio/#commentsFri, 21 Sep 2012 05:01:21 +0000Abby Faulknerhttp://wjon.com/?p=133934Continue reading…]]>Two pieces of St. Cloud history, gone for over 20 years, have returned. A pair of chandeliers, custom-made for the Paramount Theatre in 1921, were found and bought back by the theater.

]]>http://wjon.com/a-century-later-clearwater-veteran-given-headstone-audio/feed/0Abby FaulknerBe Charles Lindbergh for a day [VIDEO]http://wjon.com/be-charles-lindbergh-for-a-day-video/
http://wjon.com/be-charles-lindbergh-for-a-day-video/#commentsThu, 24 May 2012 05:01:34 +0000Abby Faulknerhttp://wjon.com/?p=103678Continue reading…]]>Most of us will never fly a plane across the Atlantic Ocean - but now, you can IMAGINE TO at the Charles A Lindbergh State Historical Site in Little Falls.

]]>http://wjon.com/be-charles-lindbergh-for-a-day-video/feed/0Abby FaulknerHere is a Hare-Raising Story!http://wjon.com/here-is-a-hare-raising-story/
http://wjon.com/here-is-a-hare-raising-story/#commentsWed, 04 Apr 2012 15:26:54 +0000Bob Hugheshttp://wjon.com/?p=89459Continue reading…]]>The one and only Gary Crawford at the USDA takes a unique look at the Easter Bunny.

]]>http://wjon.com/here-is-a-hare-raising-story/feed/0Getty ImagesNew Stearns History Museum Exhibit Honors A Century of Girl Scouts [AUDIO]http://wjon.com/new-stearns-history-museum-exhibit-honors-a-century-of-girl-scouts-audio/
http://wjon.com/new-stearns-history-museum-exhibit-honors-a-century-of-girl-scouts-audio/#commentsMon, 12 Mar 2012 21:22:48 +0000Abby Faulknerhttp://wjon.com/?p=82518Continue reading…]]>It's been a century since the Girl Scouts of America were founded, and the Stearns History Museum is recognizing this milestone with a new exhibit.

]]>http://wjon.com/new-stearns-history-museum-exhibit-honors-a-century-of-girl-scouts-audio/feed/0Abby Faulkner20 Years Ago Today: The Halloween Blizzard of 1991http://wjon.com/20-years-ago-today-the-halloween-blizzard-of-1991/
http://wjon.com/20-years-ago-today-the-halloween-blizzard-of-1991/#commentsMon, 31 Oct 2011 16:24:11 +0000Jen Jacobshttp://wjon.com/?p=47135Continue reading…]]>Last week, Jim Maurice and I wrote up a couple of stories aboutthat storm and we asked for your comments. Here are some funny memories and harrowing stories as we remember The Halloween Blizzard of 1991.

]]>http://wjon.com/20-years-ago-today-the-halloween-blizzard-of-1991/feed/0Kayana Szymczak/Getty ImagesRemembering the Halloween Blizzard of 1991http://wjon.com/remembering-the-halloween-blizzard-of-1991/
http://wjon.com/remembering-the-halloween-blizzard-of-1991/#commentsWed, 26 Oct 2011 15:48:34 +0000Jen Jacobshttp://wjon.com/?p=45715Continue reading…]]>It has been 20 years since the Halloween Blizzard of 1991 when the Upper Midwest saw a record breaking snowfall. And that’s hard to do up here. We’re taking a look back at the wind up, the snow storm and the aftermath.

]]>http://wjon.com/remembering-the-halloween-blizzard-of-1991/feed/0Scott Olson/Getty ImagesThe History Behind Labor Dayhttp://wjon.com/the-history-behind-labor-day/
http://wjon.com/the-history-behind-labor-day/#commentsMon, 05 Sep 2011 13:03:04 +0000Paula Kashtanhttp://tsminteractive.com/?p=42055Continue reading…]]>What’s not to love about Labor Day? A long weekend, BBQs and parades — really, no responsibilities except for having a great time and toasting the end of summer. But what exactly does Labor Day celebrate?

]]>http://wjon.com/the-history-behind-labor-day/feed/0Wikipedia CommonsGhost Towns: Stearns County Towns that Disappeared from the Map — Our Top Fivehttp://wjon.com/ghost-towns-stearns-county-towns-that-disappeared-from-the-map-our-top-five/
http://wjon.com/ghost-towns-stearns-county-towns-that-disappeared-from-the-map-our-top-five/#commentsSat, 06 Aug 2011 02:38:06 +0000Abby Faulknerhttp://wjon.com/?p=24950Continue reading…]]>So a few weeks back, we explored a smattering of supernatural legends from St. Cloud State University. This time around, I wanted to take a different approach to the concept of haunted spaces, and turn focus to a bunch of real "ghosts" we unknowingly encounter every day - the dissolved, forgotten towns of central Minnesota.

Many of us probably get the same old timey, western-style mental image when we hear the phrase “ghost town” – sepia-toned montages of overgrown, decrepit buildings with punched out floors and collapsed roofs, flanked by cacti and maybe a tumbleweed or two. I’m sure those Hollywood-style colonies are out there somewhere – but really, you won’t find them here in central Minnesota. As a matter of fact, most of the structures in the towns on this map were extinct before the turn of the century.

Like a good ghost story, the forgotten towns of central Minnesota are full of mystery. It took this reporter a few hours of digging around in the spectacularly organized archives of the Stearns History Museum to find the essential maps, facts, dates and photos to prove these places really existed. Now, while I’m crazy about history, research and heavy-duty air conditioning on 90-degree days, I was slightly discouraged when I realized that the vast majority of these towns have one thing in common – hardly ANY documentation exists to describe exactly where they were, what they looked like or who lived there.

Another mystery I quickly uncovered - there's no good reason some of these towns flourished (if only for a while) and others failed almost immediately. These towns (pictured on the above map) were surveyed and settled by enterprising immigrants during the 1850s and 60s, itching to develop profitable commercial trade centers. Some were temporary outposts - they drifted into disrepair and vanished. Others were platted, named and never saw so much as a single building. A handful served as the foundations for towns we know and live in today. Take a close look at the map we've created.

The latter sums up the towns that made this list. May I present for your consideration - and in no particular order - 5 central Minnesota ghost towns that captured and haunted my imagination.

]]>http://wjon.com/ghost-towns-stearns-county-towns-that-disappeared-from-the-map-our-top-five/feed/0Looking Back: D.B. Searle's St. Cloud Legacy [PHOTOS]http://wjon.com/looking-back-d-b-searles-st-cloud-legacy-photos/
http://wjon.com/looking-back-d-b-searles-st-cloud-legacy-photos/#commentsWed, 06 Jul 2011 15:35:26 +0000Dick Nelsonhttp://wjon.com/?p=13663Continue reading…]]>It's been many things over the years, but the stately Searle Building on St. Cloud's historic 5th Avenue remains open and is as full of life today as it was in the early 20th century. Dick Nelson talks with D.B. Searle's manager Matt Novak about the building over the years and the business in it today.